CN115362717A

CN115362717A - Pathloss reference signal management

Info

Publication number: CN115362717A
Application number: CN202080099523.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张羽书; 张大伟; 孙海童; 何宏; 崔杰; 曾威; 杨维东; 唐扬
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2020-04-08
Filing date: 2020-04-08
Publication date: 2022-11-18
Also published as: EP4133807A4; EP4133807A1; US20230199670A1; WO2021203316A1

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to a User Equipment (UE) that monitors one or more downlink reference signals for uplink power control. The UE may receive an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to the UE for a first operation. The first operation is uplink power control of uplink signals. The UE then determines whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second, different operation. When the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation, the UE configures the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation.

Description

Pathloss reference signal management

Background

A User Equipment (UE) may be configured to monitor one or more downlink reference signals for uplink power control. For example, the UE may determine a transmission power for a particular uplink channel or signal based at least in part on a path loss metric derived from a downlink reference signal. Different downlink reference signals may be used for different uplink channels or signals. Therefore, there is a need for mechanisms to manage downlink reference signals that a UE is configured to monitor for uplink power control.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method is performed at a User Equipment (UE). The method includes receiving an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to the UE for a first operation. The first operation is uplink power control of an uplink signal. The UE then determines whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second, different operation. When the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation, the UE configures the downlink reference signal as a pathloss reference signal to be used for the first operation.

Additional exemplary embodiments include: a transceiver configured to communicate with a network; and a processor configured to perform operations. The operations include receiving an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to the UE for a first operation. The first operation is uplink power control of an uplink signal. The UE then determines whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second, different operation. When the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation, the UE configures the downlink reference signal as a pathloss reference signal to be used for the first operation.

Still further exemplary embodiments include an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes circuitry configured to receive an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to a UE for a first operation. The first operation is uplink power control of uplink signals. The integrated circuit then determines whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation and selects the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation when the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary network arrangement according to various exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary UE according to various exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for path loss reference signal management, according to various exemplary embodiments.

Detailed Description

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Example embodiments relate to a User Equipment (UE) that monitors one or more downlink reference signals for uplink power control.

The exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a path loss reference signal. Throughout this specification, the term "path loss reference signal" refers to a downlink reference signal that may be used by a UE for uplink power control. For example, the UE may determine a transmission power for a particular uplink channel or signal based at least in part on a path loss metric derived from a path loss reference signal. Different path loss reference signals may be used for different uplink channels or signals. Thus, the UE may be configured to monitor multiple path loss reference signals simultaneously. However, the use of the term path loss reference signal is provided for illustrative purposes only, and different entities may refer to similar concepts by different names.

Exemplary embodiments are also described with reference to active reference signals. Throughout this specification, when a reference signal is characterized as active, the UE is configured to monitor the reference signal. Thus, the UE may know the frequency and time at which the network is to transmit the active reference signals. From the perspective of the UE, activating the reference signal may include operations such as, but not limited to, receiving control information associated with the reference signal from the network, collecting one or more samples of the reference signal, and processing the samples. However, references to active reference signals are provided for illustrative purposes only, and different entities may refer to similar concepts by different names.

The exemplary embodiments are further described with reference to the UE determining which reference signals to use as path loss reference signals for a particular channel or signal. In a first aspect, this may include the UE activating a reference signal, e.g., monitoring the reference signal. In a second aspect, this may include the UE determining that reference signals active for different purposes may also be used as path loss reference signals for uplink power control. Example embodiments include various techniques that may be implemented by a UE to configure an already active reference signal as a path loss reference signal for a particular uplink channel or signal.

The exact manner in which one or more path loss reference signals are used for uplink power control is beyond the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, example embodiments relate to how a UE determines that a reference signal is to be used as a path loss reference signal. The example techniques described herein may be used with currently implemented reference signal management techniques, future implementations of reference signal management techniques, or independently of other reference signal management techniques.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary embodiments. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a UE 110. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the UE110 may be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a desktop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, an embedded device, a wearable device, an internet of things (IoT) device, and so forth. It should also be understood that an actual network arrangement may include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Thus, for purposes of illustration, only an example with a single UE110 is provided.

UE110 may be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the networks with which UE110 may wirelessly communicate are a 5G new air interface (NR) radio access network (5G NR-RAN) 120, an LTE radio access network (LTE-RAN) 122, and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 124. However, it should be understood that UE110 may also communicate with other types of networks, and that UE110 may also communicate with a network through a wired connection. Thus, the UE110 may include a 5G NR chipset to communicate with the 5G NR-RAN 120, an LTE chipset to communicate with the LTE-RAN 122, and an ISM chipset to communicate with the WLAN 124.

The 5G NR-RAN 120 and LTE-RAN 122 may be part of a cellular network that may be deployed by cellular providers (e.g., verizon, AT & T, sprint, T-Mobile, etc.). These

networks

120, 122 may include, for example, cells or base stations (NodeB, eNodeB, heNB, eNBS, gNB, gdnodeb, macrocell, microcell, femtocell, etc.) configured to send and receive traffic from UEs equipped with an appropriate cellular chipset. The WLAN 124 may include any type of wireless local area network (WiFi, hotspot, IEEE 802.11x network, etc.).

UE110 may connect to 5G NR-RAN 120 via a gNB 120A. The gNB 120A may be configured with the necessary hardware (e.g., antenna arrays), software, and/or firmware to perform massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) functions. Massive MIMO may refer to a base station configured to generate multiple beams for multiple UEs. During operation, UE110 may be within range of multiple gnbs. Thus, simultaneously or alternatively, UE110 may also connect to 5G NR-RAN 120 via a gNB 120B. The reference to two

gnbs

120A, 120B is for illustrative purposes only. Exemplary embodiments may be applied to any suitable number of gnbs. In addition, the UE110 may communicate with the eNB122A of the LTE-RAN 122 to transmit and receive control information for downlink and/or uplink synchronization with respect to the 5G NR-RAN 120 connection.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any relevant procedures may be performed for UE110 to connect to the 5G NR-RAN 120. For example, as described above, the 5G NR-RAN 120 may be associated with a particular cellular provider where the UE110 and/or its user has agreement and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of the 5G NR-RAN 120, the UE110 may transmit corresponding credential information to associate with the 5G NR-RAN 120. More specifically, the UE110 may be associated with a particular base station (e.g., the gNB 120A of the 5G NR-RAN 120).

In addition to

networks

120, 122 and 124, network arrangement 100 comprises a cellular core network 130, the internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150 and a network services backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 may be viewed as an interconnected set of components that manage the operation and traffic of the cellular network. The cellular core network 130 also manages traffic flowing between the cellular network and the internet 140. IMS 150 may generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to UE110 using an IP protocol. IMS 150 may communicate with cellular core network 130 and internet 140 to provide multimedia services to UE 110. The network services backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with the internet 140 and the cellular core network 130. The network services backbone 160 may be generally described as a set of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a suite of services that may be used to extend the functionality of the UE110 for communicating with various networks.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary UE110 according to various exemplary embodiments. The UE110 will be described with reference to the network arrangement 100 of fig. 1. UE110 may represent any electronic device and may include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input/output (I/O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. Other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery providing a limited power source, a data collection device, a port for electrically connecting UE110 to other electronic devices, one or more antenna panels, and so forth.

Processor 205 may be configured to execute multiple engines of UE 110. For example, the engine may include a path loss reference signal management engine 235. The pathloss reference signal management engine 235 may perform various operations related to configuring downlink reference signals as pathloss reference signals for uplink power control for a particular uplink channel or signal. The path loss reference signal management engine 235 may manage multiple path loss reference signals for multiple uplink channels or signals.

The above-described engine is merely exemplary as an application (e.g., program) executed by the processor 205. The functionality associated with the engine may also be represented as a separate, integrated component of the UE110, or may be a modular component coupled to the UE110, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, an integrated circuit may comprise input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as one application or separate applications. Further, in some UEs, the functionality described for the processor 205 is shared between two or more processors, such as a baseband processor and an applications processor. The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of UEs.

The memory arrangement 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110. Display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, while I/O device 220 may be a hardware component that enables a user to make inputs. The display device 215 and the I/O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touch screen). The transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with the 5G NR-RAN 120, LTE-RAN 122, WLAN 124, or the like. Thus, the transceiver 225 may operate on a plurality of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a contiguous set of frequencies).

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for path loss reference signal management according to various exemplary embodiments. The method 300 will be described with reference to the UE110 of fig. 2 and the network arrangement 100 of fig. 1.

In 305, UE110 receives an indication that the network allocates one or more reference signals to UE110 to be used for uplink power control. For example, the UE110 may receive control information such as, but not limited to, an identity of the allocated reference signals, an indication of when the allocated reference signals are to be transmitted by the network, and an indication that the allocated reference signals are to be used for uplink power control. The network may transmit control information to UE110 using a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or any other suitable type of higher layer signaling.

The above operations in 305 are described with reference to one or more reference signals allocated by the network. The following operations in 310-325 may then be performed based on each reference signal. As will be described in more detail below, this may include activating the reference signals (e.g., 310-320) indicated in 305 and determining that the reference signals indicated in 305 are already active reference signals (e.g., 310 and 325).

In 310, the UE110 determines whether the allocated reference signal is an active reference signal. As described above, an active reference signal refers to a reference signal that UE110 is configured to monitor. UE110 may be configured with multiple active reference signals simultaneously. Thus, in some scenarios, the UE110 may have been configured to monitor the allocated one or more reference signals for different purposes. There are various factors that may provide a basis for UE110 to determine that an already active reference signal is to be used as a path loss reference signal. Specific examples of how UE110 may determine whether one or more allocated reference signals are active reference signals will be described in more detail below after describing method 300.

If the allocated reference signal is not an active reference signal, method 300 continues to 315. In 315, the UE110 performs one or more operations to activate the allocated reference signals. This may include operations such as, but not limited to, listening to the corresponding downlink channel, collecting one or more samples, and processing the collected samples. For example, UE110 may collect layer 3 (L3) Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement data corresponding to the allocated reference signals using (Y) samples. The UE110 may collect multiple samples to ensure that the UE110 has an accurate understanding of the allocated reference signals before activating them and using them for uplink power control.

In 320, the UE110 configures the allocated reference signal as a path loss reference signal. This path loss reference signal may then be used by the UE110 for uplink power control for a particular uplink channel or signal.

Returning to 310, if the assigned reference signal is already an active reference signal, the method 300 continues to 325. In 325, the UE110 configures the already active reference signals as path loss reference signals. Since the allocated reference signals are already active reference signals, the UE110 has knowledge of the applicable timing of the allocated reference signals and has an accurate understanding of the allocated reference signals. Accordingly, UE110 need not perform the type of operation described above with reference to 315. This allows the UE110 to minimize the delay associated with configuring the UE110 with a path loss reference signal. The UE110 may then use the path loss reference signal for uplink power control for a particular uplink channel or signal.

As described above with reference to 310 of method 300, there are various factors that may provide a basis for UE110 to configure a path loss reference signal. In a first aspect, this may be based on identifying a predetermined condition. In a second aspect, this may be based on higher layer signaling. In a third aspect, this may be based on a combination of one or more predetermined conditions and higher layer signaling. Each of these aspects will be described in greater detail below.

There are various predetermined conditions that may indicate to the UE110 that the allocated reference signal is already an active reference signal. One exemplary predetermined condition may relate to whether the allocated reference signal is configured as a pathloss reference signal for another uplink channel or signal. For example, during operation, the UE110 may receive RRC signals and/or MAC CEs that trigger the UE110 to configure (e.g., activate) reference signals as path loss references for particular uplink channels or signals. If the UE110 has been configured with reference signals allocated in 305 for uplink power control for different uplink channels or signals, the allocated reference signals have been activated.

Another example predetermined condition may relate to whether the allocated reference signal is configured as a path loss reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the PHR relates to how much maximum transmission power the UE110 has to be left to utilize. UE110 may be configured to periodically measure PHR metrics and report these RSTD measurements to the network. If the UE110 has been configured with reference signals allocated for PHR reporting in 305, the allocated reference signals have been activated.

Another exemplary predetermined condition may relate to whether the allocated reference signal is configured as a default path-loss reference signal. For example, the network may indicate to the UE110 that a particular reference signal is to be used as a pathloss reference signal when the network does not allocate the pathloss reference signal for a particular uplink channel or signal to the UE 110. If the UE110 has been configured with the reference signal because the reference signal in 305 is the default reference signal, the allocated reference signal has been activated.

Another exemplary predetermined condition may relate to whether the allocated reference signals are configured as reference signals to be used for layer 1 (L1) RSRP measurement or L3RSRP measurement for purposes other than uplink power control. For example, UE110 may be configured to monitor various reference signals according to procedures related to UE110 mobility. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to mobility procedures and may be applied to reference signals used for any suitable purpose. If the UE110 has been configured with the reference signals allocated in 305 for a different purpose, the allocated reference signals have been activated.

In some embodiments, the UE110 may be limited to monitoring a maximum number (N) of pathloss reference signals for a bandwidth segment (BWP) or serving cell. However, there may be scenarios where UE110 is allocated more than N reference signals, and more than N active reference signals are available for selection as path loss reference signals. In this type of scenario, UE110 may select N reference signals from a set of more than N active reference signals as path loss reference signals. Alternatively, there may be scenarios in which UE110 is allocated fewer than N reference signals. In this scenario type, after the allocated reference signals are activated or selected from the active reference signals, the UE110 may select additional active reference signals until N pathloss reference signals are configured. In either scenario, the UE110 may have to decide which active reference signals from the set of active reference signals should be used as path loss reference signals for a particular uplink channel or signal.

To distinguish active reference signals, UE110 may utilize the following exemplary criteria. Initially, UE110 may select the active reference signal using one or more of the predetermined conditions described above. In this example, UE110 may select an active reference signal that satisfies the following predetermined condition: i) A pathloss reference signal for another uplink channel or signal, ii) a pathloss reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting, and iii) a default pathloss reference signal. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to these exemplary predetermined conditions, and any suitable predetermined conditions may be utilized when distinguishing active reference signals.

The sum of the active reference signals satisfying the predetermined condition may be represented by (N1). If N1< N, UE110 may select an additional reference signal from the set of active reference signals as a pathloss reference signal for a particular uplink channel or signal. However, the UE110 does not need to select or activate any additional active reference signals. Alternatively, the UE110 may decide that no additional path loss reference signals are to be configured for a particular uplink channel or signal.

To further distinguish the active reference signals, the UE110 may use the following exemplary criteria. One exemplary criterion may relate to the active reference signals having the lowest and/or highest IDs. Another example criterion may relate to an active reference signal having a minimum and/or maximum periodicity. Additional exemplary criteria may relate to active reference signals providing a basis for up-to-date Channel State Information (CSI) reporting. UE110 may utilize the above criteria until N pathloss reference signals have been selected. Alternatively, the UE110 may implement one or more of the above-described standards and then determine not to configure additional pathloss reference signals.

During operation, UE110 may be configured with Carrier Aggregation (CA) and/or enhanced dual connectivity (endec). Accordingly, the UE110 may be configured with two or more Component Carriers (CCs). When the predetermined conditions and/or criteria described above are used, the UE110 may decide that active path loss reference signals with respect to the first CC may be used for power control of uplink channels or signals in CCs other than the first CC. Thus, in some embodiments, when UE110 determines which active reference signals to use for a particular uplink channel or signal on a first CC, UE110 may consider active reference signals from different CCs for use in selection. Alternatively, the UE110 may not consider active reference signals from different CCs. UE110 may decide whether active reference signals from different CCs are available for selection using any suitable basis.

As described above, in some embodiments, UE110 may configure the path loss reference signal based on higher layer signaling. For example, UE110 may receive an RRC signal and/or a MAC CE that triggers UE110 to activate one or more reference signals for uplink power control for a particular uplink channel or signal.

Reference signal activation via higher layer signaling may be a layered procedure. For example, the network may initially indicate to the UE110 that a first set of two or more reference signals are available for use as path loss reference signals. The indication may be provided to UE110 in an RRC message. The network may then indicate to UE110 that a second set of reference signals, which is a subset of the first set of reference signals, is to be activated for uplink power control for a particular uplink channel or signal. The indication may be provided to UE110 in the MAC CE. Thus, the network may send an RRC message to UE110 identifying possible path loss reference signals, and then send a MAC CE that triggers UE110 to activate a subset of the possible path loss reference signals. In some embodiments, the UE110 may be allowed to configure cross-CC or cross-BWP path-loss reference signals. To facilitate this, in addition to the path loss reference signal index, the CC index and/or the BWP index may also be included in the higher layer signaling. Alternatively, UE110 may not be allowed to configure cross-CC or cross-BWP path-loss reference signals. Thus, only the pathloss reference signal index may be provided to the UE 110.

As described above, in some embodiments, UE110 may configure the path loss reference signal based on a combination of predetermined conditions and higher layer signaling. In this type of arrangement, UE110 may initially determine the first set of active reference signals based on one or more of the predetermined conditions described above. For example, UE110 may identify the active reference signals based on: i) A path loss reference signal for another uplink channel or signal, ii) a path loss reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting, iii) a default path loss reference signal, and iv) a reference signal for L1 RSRP measurement or L3RSRP measurement for purposes other than uplink power control (e.g., mobility, etc.).

UE110 may then determine a second set of active reference signals based on the higher layer signaling. For example, the UE110 determines which reference signals have been activated via RRC messages and/or MAC CEs. The UE110 may utilize reference signals from the total number of first and second sets of active reference signals if the total number of reference signals from the first and second sets of active reference signals is less than or equal to the maximum number of path loss reference signals (N).

In some embodiments, the UE110 may select the active reference signals only from the first set of active reference signals if the total number of reference signals from the first and second sets of active reference signals is greater than the maximum number of path loss reference signals (N). Alternatively, the UE110 may select only active reference signals from the second set of active reference signals.

In other embodiments, if the total number of reference signals from the first and second sets of active reference signals is greater than the maximum number of path loss reference signals (N), the UE110 may select an active reference signal from the second set of active reference signals based on the following criteria. One exemplary criterion may relate to the active reference signals having the lowest and/or highest IDs. Another exemplary criterion may relate to active reference signals having a minimum and/or maximum periodicity. Additional exemplary criteria may relate to active reference signals providing a basis for up-to-date Channel State Information (CSI) reporting. UE110 may utilize the above criteria until N pathloss reference signals have been selected. Alternatively, the UE110 may implement one or more of the above-described standards and then determine not to configure additional pathloss reference signals.

As indicated above in the description of UE110 in fig. 2, UE110 may be equipped with other components 230 including one or more antenna panels. In some embodiments, the state of the antenna panel may be considered when configuring the path loss reference signal. For example, consider the above-described predetermined conditions relating to whether the reference signal is a pathloss reference signal for a different uplink channel or signal. The predetermined condition may also include whether the same antenna panel (e.g., panel ID) is configured for the target uplink channel or signal and a different uplink channel or signal.

Further, consider the above-described predetermined condition regarding whether the reference signal is a path loss reference signal for PHR reporting. The predetermined condition may also include whether the same antenna panel (e.g., panel ID) is configured for the target uplink channel or signal and the PHR operation. Also, consider the above-described predetermined condition as to whether the reference signal is a default reference signal. The predetermined condition may also include whether the same antenna panel (e.g., panel ID) is configured for the target uplink channel or signal and the uplink channel or signal based on the default reference signal. Still further, consider the above-described predetermined conditions related to reference signals used for L1 RSRP measurement or L3RSRP measurement for purposes other than uplink power control (e.g., mobility, etc.). The predetermined condition may also include whether the same antenna panel is configured for the target uplink channel or signal and the L1/L3 measurements.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented in any suitable software configuration or hardware configuration, or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, an Intel x 86-based platform with a compatible operating system, a Windows OS, a Mac platform and a MAC OS, a mobile device with an operating system such as iOS, android, and the like. In other examples, the exemplary embodiments of the methods described above may be embodied as a program comprising lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which when compiled, is executable on a processor or microprocessor.

While this patent application describes various combinations of various embodiments, each having different features, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any feature of one embodiment may be combined in any non-disclosed or negative way with features of other embodiments or features that are not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation or function of the apparatus of the disclosed embodiments of the invention.

It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be explicitly stated to the user.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a User Equipment (UE):

receiving an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to the UE for a first operation, wherein the first operation is uplink power control of an uplink signal;

determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation; and

configuring the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation when the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

activating the downlink reference signal when the UE is not configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation, wherein activating the downlink reference signal comprises: collecting measurement data corresponding to the downlink reference signals; and

configuring the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation after activating the downlink reference signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation comprises: identifying that the downlink reference signal is configured as one of: i) A path loss reference signal for the second different operation; ii) a reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting; iii) A default path loss reference signal; or iv) reference signals to be used for UE mobility procedures.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation is based on higher layer signaling.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the higher layer signaling comprises at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the downlink reference signal as a pathloss reference signal is further based on one of: i) ID; ii) periodicity; or iii) included in a Channel State Information (CSI) report.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlink reference signal corresponds to a Component Carrier (CC) different from a CC corresponding to the uplink signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal is further based on an antenna panel to be used for the uplink signal.

9. A User Equipment (UE), comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with a network; and

a processor configured to perform operations comprising:

determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second, different operation; and

10. The UE of claim 9, the operations further comprising:

11. The UE of claim 9, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation comprises: identifying that the downlink reference signal is configured as one of: i) A path loss reference signal for the second different operation; ii) a reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting; or iii) a default path loss reference signal.

12. The UE of claim 11, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation comprises: identifying that the downlink reference signal is configured as a reference signal to be used for a UE mobility procedure.

13. The UE of claim 9, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation is based on higher layer signaling.

14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the higher layer signaling comprises at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

15. The UE of claim 9, wherein configuring the downlink reference signal to be a path loss reference signal is further based on an antenna panel to be used for the uplink signal.

16. An integrated circuit, comprising:

circuitry configured to receive an indication that a downlink reference signal is allocated to a UE for a first operation, wherein the first operation is uplink power control of an uplink signal;

circuitry configured to determine whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second, different operation; and

circuitry configured to select the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation when the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 16, further comprising:

circuitry configured to activate the downlink reference signal when the UE is not configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for the second different operation, wherein activating the downlink reference signal comprises: collecting measurement data corresponding to the downlink reference signals; and

circuitry configured to select the downlink reference signal as a path loss reference signal to be used for the first operation after activating the downlink reference signal.

18. The integration of claim 16, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation comprises: identifying that the downlink reference signal is configured as one of: i) A path loss reference signal for the second different operation; ii) a reference signal for Power Headroom (PHR) reporting; iii) A default path loss reference signal; or iv) a reference signal to be used for the UE mobility procedure.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 16, wherein determining whether the UE is configured to monitor the downlink reference signal for a second different operation is based on higher layer signaling.

20. The integrated circuit of claim 16, wherein selecting the downlink reference signal as a pathloss reference signal is further based on an antenna panel to be used for the uplink signal.